Portable support for seating and associated method of use

ABSTRACT

A portable support ( 10 ) for seating including a body ( 14 ) adapted to contain beans ( 41 ), the body ( 14 ) having a first portion ( 16 ) adapted to be carried and a second portion ( 18 ) adapted to be moveable relative to the first portion ( 16 ) between a folded condition, in which the second portion ( 18 ) is stowed adjacent the first portion ( 16 ), and a deployed condition in which the second portion ( 18 ) extends from the first portion ( 16 ), wherein in the deployed condition the beans ( 41 ) are moveable between the first portion ( 16 ) and the second portion ( 18 ) thereby substantially filling second portion ( 18 ) to a useable state, the second portion ( 18 ) being shaped so as to be able to provide a substantially self supporting backrest ( 20 ) extending from the first portion ( 16 ) in the usable state. A method of use is also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a portable support for seating. More specifically, the invention relates to a portable beanbag that provides a portable seat or lounge, and an associated method of use.

BACKGROUND

Beanbags are used for informal seating or lounging typically in the home or office environment. Typically, beanbags are substantially filled with beans and may be amorphous in shape or formed in a pre-defined shape such as a chase or seat.

A problem with these known beanbags is that they are generally relatively large in size and difficult to store and transport. Accordingly, portable or travel beanbags have been proposed.

One such travel or portable beanbag is disclosed in Australian Innovation Patent AU2007100303. This portable beanbag includes a main body having a larger more rounded fixed portion and a thinner folding portion extending from the rounded fixed portion. The larger more rounded fixed portion includes straps and the thinner folding portion folds to or against the larger rounded portion in a furled position. The portable beanbag can be used as a seating support in an unfurled position on which a person may sit or lie on the beanbag by unfurling the thinner folding portion and sitting on the thinner folding portion with the larger fixed portion being used as a pillow or lower back support.

A problem with this portable beanbag is that in the unfurled position it is relatively non-supportive to the user and may not provide sufficient support for a user to sit in a more upright position.

The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first main aspect there is provided, a portable support for seating including a body adapted to contain beans, the body having a first portion adapted to be carried and a second portion adapted to be moveable relative to the first portion between a folded condition, in which the second portion is stowed adjacent the first portion, and a deployed condition in which the second portion extends from the first portion, wherein in the deployed condition the beans are moveable between the first portion and the second portion thereby substantially filling the second portion to a useable state, the second portion being tapered toward its free end so as to provide a substantially self supporting backrest extending from and angled relative to the first portion in the usable state.

In an aspect, in the useable state the second portion has at least one of a generally conical and pyramidal shape tapering toward the free end.

In another aspect, a bean receiving volume of the second portion is less than a bean receiving volume of the first portion.

In yet another aspect, the first portion includes a first bean receiving volume and the second portion includes a second receiving bean volume, the first bean receiving volume being greater than the second bean receiving volume, wherein in the stowed condition the first bean receiving volume is substantially filled with the beans such that in the deployed condition a portion of the beans are moveable to substantially fill second portion with a remaining portion at least partially filling first portion.

In yet another aspect, the first portion is a ground engaging seating portion and the second portion is a backrest portion arranged extend in a least one of a substantially upward direction and an inclined angle from the ground engaging seating portion.

In yet another aspect, in the useable state the angle between the first portion and second portion serve to restrict the passage of the beans escaping from the second portion.

In yet another aspect, the first portion has a squarer plan form shape in comparison to a tapered plan form shape of the second portion.

In yet another aspect, the second portion includes an air vent so as to allow the redistribution of air and beans within the body.

In yet another aspect, the first portion includes at least one of a carry strap and backpack style strap.

In yet another aspect, in the folded condition, the second portion is arranged to extend along a side of the first portion.

In yet another aspect, the second portion includes at least one of an attachment means, clip or toggle to releasably secure the second portion in the folded condition.

In yet another aspect, in the stowed condition, the second portion is substantially empty.

In accordance with a second main aspect there is provided, a method for using a portable beanbag adapted to be moveable between a stowed condition and a deployed condition, the portable beanbag including a bag body at least partially filled with beans, the bag body having a first portion and a second portion foldable relative to the first portion, the method including the steps of: folding, from the stowed condition, the second portion outwardly from the first portion so as to extend therefrom in a deployed condition; and elevating, in the deployed condition, the first portion so as to move an amount of the beans to substantially fill the second portion to a useable state, a remaining amount of the beans at partially filling the first portion, placing, in the useable state, the first portion on a supporting surface with the second portion being angled relative to and extending substantially upwardly from the first portion, the second portion being tapered toward its free end so as to be self-supporting when substantially filled with the amount of beans thereby being suitable as a backrest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a portable support provided in the form of a portable beanbag in a folded condition;

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the portable beanbag in the folded condition;

FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating the portable beanbag in the folded condition;

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the portable beanbag in the folded condition;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view illustrating the portable beanbag being moved between the folded condition and the deployed condition;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front side view illustrating the portable beanbag in the deployed condition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective back side view illustrating the portable beanbag in the deployed condition;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the portable beanbag in the deployed condition;

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the portable beanbag in the deployed condition;

FIG. 10 is a rear view illustrating the portable beanbag in the deployed condition;

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the portable beanbag in the folded condition showing the internal arrangement of beans;

FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the portable beanbag being moved to the deployed condition showing the internal arrangement of beans;

FIG. 13 is another side view illustrating the portable beanbag being moved to the deployed condition showing the internal arrangement of beans;

FIG. 14 is another side perspective view illustrating a first portion of the beanbag being raised or elevated to move the beans into the second portion;

FIG. 15 is another side perspective view illustrating the beanbag being rotated from the position shown in FIG. 14 with the second portion being raised and the first portion being lowered toward a ground surface;

FIG. 16 is another side perspective view illustrating the beanbag in the deployed condition with the second portion being substantially filled with beans in the useable state;

FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating a person carrying the portable beanbag in the folded condition; and

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view illustrating a person seat or lounging on the portable beanbag in the deployed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, there is shown a portable support 10 provided in the form of a portable beanbag 12 for seating. The portable beanbag 12 including a bag body 14 adapted to contain beans 41 (shown in FIG. 11) or other suitable filling. The bag body 14 having a first portion 16 adapted to be carried and a second portion 18 adapted to be moveable relative to the first portion 16 between a folded condition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in which the second portion 18 is stowed adjacent the first portion 16, and a deployed condition, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 in which the second portion 18 extends from the first portion 16 and may be filled with beans 41 such a polystyrene beans or beads, or other suitable filling, so as to provide an upright support or backrest 20 extending or standing from the first portion 14.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1 to 5, the first and second portions 16, 18 each have respective coupled or attached ends 19, 21 and respective free ends 15, 17. In the folded state, the second portion 18 is folded upwardly along an outer side 13 of the first portion 16 and is secured in place at its tip of free end 17 by a releasable coupling 22 that is provided here in the form of a toggle 24 attached to the first portion and a receiving aperture 26 of the first portion 16. The second portion 18 could also be furled or otherwise moved so as to stowed adjacent the first portion 16.

In the folded condition, the second portion 18 is substantially empty or void of beans with most of the beans being carried by the first portion 16. The length of the first portion 16 and second portion 18 being arranged such that the body 14 may be folded generally in half, with the first portion and second portions 16, 18 forming the halves. The second portion 18, in the folded condition, thereby substantially covering the outer side 13 of the first portion 16.

The first portion 16 is also adapted to be carried and, in this example, includes backpack style straps 28 that allow the portable beanbag 12 to be carried like a backpack when in the folded condition. The straps 28 are coupled to a backside 29 of the first portion 16. The straps may be adjustable and in some examples other forms of straps or carry handles may be used. In terms of general proportions, the first portion 16 is generally more rectangular or squarer in plan form shape and is also more voluminous in comparison of the second portion 18. The second portion 18 has tapered plan form shape and narrows toward its free end tip 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 10, the portable beanbag 12 is shown in the deployed condition in which the second portion 18 is folded outwardly from the first portion 16. In the deployed condition, beans 41 within the bag body 14 are moveable between the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 (as is further detail below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16) thereby substantially filling second portion 18 to a useable state in which the second portion 18 provides the substantially self supporting backrest or backrest portion 20 extending or standing from the first portion 16. The first portion 16 provides a seat or seating portion 27 from which the backrest portion 20 extends, and the backside 29 of the first portion 16 provides a base or ground-engaging portion 34 from which the backrest portion 20 may extend in a generally upright or inclined orientation.

The bag body 14 is pre-shaped so as to have an overall curved or banana shape in side profile. More specifically, the second portion 18 is pre-shaped such that in the deployed useable state the second portion 18 provides a tapered pyramidal shape that provides an inclined backrest surface 40 extending from a seating surface 44 of the first portion 16 and a generally vertically oriented rear surface 42 that stands from a supporting ground surface against which ground engaging undersides 46 of the first and second portions 16, 18 rest or engage in use.

Accordingly, the tapered shape of the second portion 18 allows the second portion 18 to provide the backrest 20 to support a person sitting in at least a partially inclined position with the person's head raised and back supported as is shown, for example, in FIG. 18. In particular, the backrest 20, depending on the size of the person, support the back at least up to the upper back, shoulder blades or even the neck allowing an inclined substantially normal seating position. Accordingly, in this example, the backrest 20 may also be considered to provide a neck rest. This tapered shaping of the portable beanbag 12 that allows the backrest 20 to extend upwardly substantially increases the comfort and ranges of use of the portable beanbag 12.

In some examples, the first portion 16 and/or the second portion 18 is either formed from a breathable fabric or includes an air vent 25, shown for example in FIG. 5, so as to allow the redistribution of air and beans within the bag body 14 when moved between the folded condition and the deployed condition as is now further described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 18, the internal configuration and methods of use of the portable beanbag 12 are now described in further detail. Beginning with

FIG. 11, in the folded condition the beans 41 are substantially contained within the first portion 16, which has a first bean receiving volume 31 that is larger than a second bean receiving volume 33 provided by the second portion 18. The second portion 18 is initially substantially empty. This allows for the first portion 16 to contain all of the beans in the folded state and the smaller second portion 18 to be fully filled with the beans in the deployed state with a portion of beans remaining in the first portion 16.

The second portion 18 is outwardly moved or folded and lowered from the first portion 16 that allows some of the beans to move into the second potion 18, as is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the first portion 16 may then be raised and shaken to move the beans into the second portion 16. This will substantially fill the second portion 18 with beans to fill out its pre-defined tapered or pyramidal shape. The bag 12 is then quickly rotated or flipped, so as to retain the beans 41 within the second portion, with the backside 29 of the first portion 16 resting on the ground and the second portion 18 standing generally upright therefrom to provide the backrest 20.

Accordingly, in FIG. 16, the bag 12 is provided in the deployed condition with the second portion 18 in the useable state. The shape of the second portion 18 and angle between the first portion 16 and second portion 18 serves to choke or restrict the passage of beans 41 escaping from the second portion 18 and thereby assists to retain the beans 41 in the second portion 18 when in the deployed useable state. Because the second portion 18 has bean receiving volume less than the first portion 16, when the second portion is filled some beans 41 remain in the first portion 16 to provided cushioning for the person sitting on the second portion 18.

For example, if the second bean receiving volume of the second portion 18 is about ⅓ of the total bean receiving volume and the first bean receiving volume 31 of the first portion 16 is about ⅔ of the total bean receiving volume. Accordingly, when the second portion 18 is filled with beans about ½ of the amount of beans 41 from the first portion 16 move into the second portion move into the second portion 18 which in turn leaves the first portion 16 itself about half full of beans 41. Of course, if the first portion 16 is filled with less beans 41, then fewer beans 41 will remain the first portion 16 when the second portion 18 is filled in the deployed state.

Preferably, in this example, the overall bean receiving volume of the beanbag body 14 may be about ½ filled with beans. This means that first bean receiving volume must be greater than ½ of the overall volume of the beanbag body 14 and the second bean receiving volume must be less than ½ of the overall volume. This results in the first portion 16 being mostly, but not fully filled with an amount of the beans 41 in the stowed condition, and in the deployed, usable state, the second portion 18 is fully filled, with a small remaining portion or amount of beans 41 remaining in the first portion 16. Accordingly, the portable beanbag 12 required substantially less beans in comparisons to a conventional beanbag.

It is noted that in both the stowed condition and the deployed condition a intermediate portion or amount 51 of beans 41, as shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15 remains near to or at the junction between the first and second portions 16, 18. In the stowed condition, the intermediate amount 51 of the beans 41 is at the bottom of the first portion 16 and, in the deployed condition the intermediate amount 51 of the beans 41 is located in a similar position at least partially beneath the beans 41 in the second portion 18 thereby assisting to support the second portion 18.

It is also noted then when a user sits on the bag 12 in the deployed condition, as shown in FIG. 18, the user's body weight distribution naturally compresses the bag 12 and thereby reduces available bean receiving volume. This compression assists the bag body 14 to maintain its deployed useable state even when the overall bag body 14 is less than about half filled with beans.

To return the portable beanbag 12 to the folded state, the above method is carried out in reverse to move the beans 41 back into the first portion 16 and the coupling 22 is reattached to secure the portable beanbag 12 in the folded state. The use may then carry the portable beanbag 12 via the straps 28 as, for example, shown in FIG. 17.

Advantageously, there has been described a portable beanbag that is arranged to be movable between a folded condition, in which the portable beanbag is foldable into a portable backpack style bag, and a deployed condition in which the portable beanbag provides a seat or lounge having a ground engaging seat portion and a inclined or upright seat back or back rest portion.

In particular, the backrest portion is substantially self-supporting so as to retain its shape in a deployed and usable state in which the backrest portion is substantially filled with beans. The predetermined inclined or curved shape between the seat portion and the backrest portion also assists to retain beams within the backrest portion in the deployed usable state. Backrest portion has a volume less than the seat portion such that when beans are moved from the seat portion to the backrest portion, some beans remain in the seat portion to provide cushioning for the seat portion. The inclined and self-supporting backrest provides a user with a high degree of comfort and usability.

The terms “bean” and “beans” used herein are to be interpreted as including any suitable granular or movable filling that may be used to fill and move within a portable support as disclosed herein.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable support for seating including a body adapted to contain beans, the body having a first portion adapted to be carried and a second portion adapted to be moveable relative to the first portion between a folded condition, in which the second portion is stowed adjacent the first portion, and a deployed condition in which the second portion extends from the first portion, wherein in the deployed condition the beans are moveable between the first portion and the second portion thereby substantially filling the second portion to a useable state, the second portion being tapered toward its free end so as to provide a substantially self supporting backrest extending from and angled relative to the first portion in the usable state.
 2. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein in the useable state the second portion has at least one of a generally conical and pyramidal shape tapering toward the free end.
 3. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein a bean receiving volume of the second portion is less than a bean receiving volume of the first portion.
 4. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a first bean receiving volume and the second portion includes a second receiving bean volume, the first bean receiving volume being greater than the second bean receiving volume, wherein in the stowed condition the first bean receiving volume is substantially filled with the beans such that in the deployed condition a portion of the beans are moveable to substantially fill second portion with a remaining portion at least partially filling first portion.
 5. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is a ground engaging seating portion and the second portion is a backrest portion arranged extend in a least one of a substantially upward direction and an inclined angle from the ground engaging seating portion.
 6. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein in the useable state the angle between the first portion and second portion serves to restrict the passage of the beans escaping from the second portion.
 7. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein the first portion has a squarer plan form shape in comparison to a tapered plan form shape of the second portion.
 8. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein the second portion includes an air vent so as to allow the redistribution of air and beans within the body.
 9. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes at least one of a carry strap and backpack style strap.
 10. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein in the folded condition, the second portion is arranged to extend along a side of the first portion.
 11. The portable support according to claim 1, the second portion includes at least one of an attachment means, clip or toggle to releasably secure the second portion in the folded condition.
 13. The portable support according to claim 1, wherein in the stowed condition the second portion is substantially empty.
 14. A method for using a portable beanbag adapted to be moveable between a stowed condition and a deployed condition, the portable beanbag including a bag body at least partially filled with beans, the bag body having a first portion and a second portion foldable relative to the first portion, the method including the steps of: folding, from the stowed condition, the second portion outwardly from the first portion so as to extend therefrom in a deployed condition; and elevating, in the deployed condition, the first portion so as to move an amount of the beans to substantially fill the second portion to a useable state, a remaining amount of the beans at partially filling the first portion, placing, in the useable state, the first portion on a supporting surface with the second portion being angled relative to and extending substantially upwardly from the first portion, the second portion being tapered toward its free end so as to be self-supporting when substantially filled with the amount of beans thereby being suitable as a backrest. 